Bills to decriminalize marijuana continue to see no action in the Pennsylvania legislature. But a new poll finds that most voters support a proposal to end the criminalization of all illicit drugs.
The survey was conducted by Data for Progress. It found that 60 percent of voters favor having their district attorneys eradicate “criminal penalties for simple possession of a controlled substance.”
Despite the support, two bills to decriminalize cannabis alone have sat in the House and Senate since January. They have yet to receive hearings in the committees that they were referred to initially.
In comparison, Oregon voters elected to decriminalize all drugs last November. Consequently, the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office announced that it would act on its own initiative and prosecutors would no longer pursue low-level drug possession cases.
Support for decriminalization is the strongest among Democrats, with 71 percent on board. Next are Independents, with 68 percent backing the reform. Finally, only 43 percent of Republicans agree.
Marijuana Legalization in Pennsylvania
In other news, according to the poll, support for marijuana legalization is widespread among Pennsylvanians, including the governor, lieutenant governor, and 58 percent of residents.
Currently, a bipartisan Senate duo is crafting legislation to legalize cannabis across the commonwealth. Senators Dan Laughlin (R) and Sharif Street (D) announced some details of the proposal at the beginning of 2021. But the bill has yet to be introduced.
The governor has repeatedly called for legalization and pressured the legislature to pursue the reform.
Lt. Governor Fetterman held a listening tour across the state to seek public input on legalization. He credited this effort with helping to move the governor toward embracing reform.
Another reason for lawmakers to consider legalization is due to the pandemic and financial fallout. Other states with state-legal marijuana markets show the potential to make tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue. But, it is unclear if a legalization proposal would make it through the GOP-controlled Senate.
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